Why Choose Tools from Yoshioka Hamono
When selecting garden tools, especially pruning shears, choosing brands with authentic heritage, precision forging, and reliable performance makes a difference. Yoshioka Hamono is known for its craftsmanship in Japanese edged tools, where artisans carefully correct and adjust even invisible errors by hand. Tobisho secateurs follow similar high standards, forged in Yamagata, Japan, with careful heat treatment, hollow grinding, and fine joint fitting to produce clean, low-friction cuts. Explore the full range in our Tobisho secateur collection, available in Australia through East West Tools.
How to Choose & Use a Japanese Sickle or Pruning Tool
Read our guide on how to choose and use a Japanese sickle to understand selection and care. Key factors include:
- Steel type: Carbon steels sharpen easily and take a keen edge. Premium steels like Yasugi or Aogami Blue hold an edge longer but require more care.
- Blade design: Hollow ground edges reduce friction and allow smoother, cleaner cuts.
- Construction method: Brazed joints, where a hard blade is joined to the body, are a difficult process still practiced by only a few makers such as Tobisho.
- Ergonomics: Subtle handle tilts and offsets reduce fatigue and improve control during longer pruning sessions.
- Size: Smaller tools like 195mm shears offer precise control in tight growth, while larger models provide more leverage for thicker branches.
To extend tool life, always wipe sap and moisture after use, apply light oil, and sharpen regularly. Let the blade do the work rather than forcing cuts. For complete upkeep, see our Garden Tool Maintenance Kit.
Featured: Tobisho 195mm Pruning Shears
The Tobisho 195mm Pruning Shears are a compact, precision tool ideal for detailed pruning. At 195mm they balance control with cutting strength, making them suited for fruit trees, ornamentals, and fine garden work. Forged from high-quality carbon steel, they are easy to sharpen and maintain. The asymmetrical handle design and subtle blade tilt help align the cut with your wrist for comfort and efficiency. A serviceable joint allows long-term adjustment and maintenance.
